Evaluation of the medial clavicular epiphysis according to the Schmeling and Kellinghaus method in living individuals: A retrospective CT study

Abstract

The evaluation of the medial clavicular epiphysis via CT plays an important role in the determination of age, particularly the 19th and 22nd ages. Several authors have recommended the use of the Schmeling and Kellinghaus methods in conjunction in the evaluation of the medial clavicular epiphysis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate thin section CT scan images of the medial clavicular epiphysis according to the Schmeling and Kellinghaus method, and to discuss the obtained data in the light of the literature. The thoracic CT scan images (0.6 mm section thickness) of 601 patients (202 female and 399 male) aged between 10 and 35 years obtained by 16-detector CT were evaluated by two examiners. The stage 2 was seen between 13 and 23 years of age; stage 3 was seen between 16 and 27 years of age. However, 100% of the female cases with stage 3c were >= 18 years of age, and 100% of the male cases with stage 3c were >= 19 years of age. Stage 4 was first observed at 20 years of age in both sexes, and stage 5 was first observed at 25 years of age in both sexes. We believe that stage 3c may be used, particularly in the determination 18-year age limit for both sexes. The outcomes of our study are consistent with those of our previous study and other studies in the literature, which is important for the confirmation of the reliability of the method.